Surname Kupers - Meaning and Origin

Kupers: What does the surname Kupers mean?

The last name Kupers is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word for cooper, which is a barrel-maker. The name first originated in the Middle Ages in Germany as an occupational name for a barrel-maker who crafted and repaired wooden barrels, containers and casks for beer, wine, and food.

Kupers can also be spelled as Kuepers or Küpers and is also found in Holland. The Netherlands is home to a large population with this last name.

The name Kupers serves as a reminder of the brewing and winemaking traditions of Germany. For centuries the last name has been associated with the small but necessary art of cooperage. Every beer brewer, wine maker, and distiller was required to maintain a cooper, as he was the person responsible for making and repairing the precious wooden barrels needed for the production of beer, wine, and whisky.

The name is an apt reminder of the importance of craftsmanship for centuries of German beer, wine, and whisky makers. German ancestors of those with the Kupers family name are proud of their craftsmanship and of their contribution to the rich history of German beverage production.

Kupers: Where does the name Kupers come from?

The last name Kupers is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. The Kupers surname originates from Germanic countries, where it is thought to be derived from the Middle Dutch word “Kupper”, which meant cooper or barrel maker. The Kupers family is believed to have descended from early metal-workers who were skilled at crafting barrels and other metal containers.

In the Netherlands, Kupers is the 24th most common surname. A map of the Netherlands shows that the Kupers family is concentrated mostly in the province of Groningen. In Belgium, Kupers is found mainly in the Walloon region. In the German-speaking countries, Kupers is primarily found in North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland.

In the United States, the Kupers surname is found in all fifty states, but is most widely distributed in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. In the U.K., Kupers is relatively rare but can be found in small numbers in Scotland. In other parts of the world, Kupers is still found in many countries with Germanic heritage, such as Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Luxembourg.

Overall, the Kupers surname is most common in areas with large populations of Germanic heritage, such as Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The Kupers family is also growing in popularity in the United States, U.K., and elsewhere.

Variations of the surname Kupers

The surname Kupers originates from the Dutch word 'koper', which translates to copper in English. This indicates one of the earliest bearers of the name were likely someone involved in the copper trade. The variants, spellings, and surnames of this origin include Kuijpers, Kuypers, Kuyper, Kupers, Coppers, Koppers, and Koppersman.

In the Netherlands the common spelling is 'Kuijpers'. The 'j' in place of the 'y' is introduced commonly in Dutch spelling, replacing 'y' with 'j' for a softer pronunciation. The 'j' is a type of palatal consonant that does not exist in English. Texts written in English translate 'Kuijpers' to the variant spelling of Kuypers, Kuyper, and Kupers. This form is most common in spellings used in North America.

The 'c' spelling of Coppers could be likely due to the translation of Dutch when attempting to capture the pronunciation and spelling of the original word 'koper'. While Koppers and Koppersman are more likely a variation of the Kupers spelling- those bearers of the name who wanted to isolate themselves to a particular region likely taking on the more localized variations.

In summation in North America the common spelling for this surname is Kuypers, Kuyper, or Kupers, while in the Netherlands the most common spelling is Kuijpers. Variations of the surname also include Coppers, Koppers, and Koppersman.

Famous people with the name Kupers

• Hans Küppers: Former German professional footballer best known for his time at MSV Duisburg.
• Tamar Kupers: Professional harpist and director of Concertino Graz, an Austrian chamber orchestra.
• Assia Kupers: Danish-Israeli journalist and author.
• Max Kupers: 11-time German Olympic swimmer, most notably winning a gold medal in the 4x200 m freestyle relay in the 1996 Olympics.
• Flavian Kupers: Film and television actor, known for his role in the Dutch webseries #GoodBoy.
• Josh Kupers: Canadian professional ice hockey player.
• Daelim Kupers: South Korean actress and designer, best known for her roles in the drama series ‘The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop’ and ‘Age of Innocence’.
• Paul Kupers: American visual artist and filmmaker who has been working in experimental media since the 1960s.
• Claude Kupers: Belgian canoeist who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
• Julie Kupers: Dutch artist who works primarily with glass and is a former professor of art at the Royal Academy of Arts in The Hague.

Other surnames

KuperKuperschmidt